Dominik Pegs Two Key Concerns For Bucs
August 10th, 2016
Dominik isn’t sold on a cornerstone Buccaneer
Former Bucs rockstar general manager Mark Dominik is a radio and TV star these days, and this week he weighed in on a subject near to his heart, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dominik is not bitter since getting ousted by Team Glazer. In fact, Dominik is the opposite, he’s very pro-Bucs and is quick to say he’s rooting for his old team and the franchise that employed him for nearly two decades. Dominik still lives in town.
Speaking on SiriusXM NFL Radio with co-host Bruce Murray, Dominik dove into this year’s Bucs during a deep look at the NFC South. He pegged two key concerns for Tampa Bay.
“I think the main thing for them is, ‘Can Adam Humphries be the No. 3 wide receiver?’ It sounds like he’s loaded up in that spot, but can he hold on to it?” Dominik said.
“And to me, Donovan Smith is the biggest question mark going into the 2016 season. Can he really be the left tackle for Jameis Winton? Can he keep him healthy? That’s going to be something I’ll be watching all season long.”
Joe had to rewind that.
So Dominik thinks Smith is a giant question mark? Joe doesn’t get it at all. But it seems Dominik isn’t sold and is siding with the professional stat nerds, who think Smith is a scrub waiting to be further exposed in 2016.
Joe sees Smith has a guy who played every single snap last season and had a darn good rookie campaign. Perfect? No. But he was darn solid for a stout running game and an O-line that didn’t allow many sacks.
Co-host Murray jumped in and pressed Dominik on what concerns him: the Bucs’ no-name pool of undrafted and late-drafted receivers after aging Vincent Jackson.
“Are you surprised they didn’t try to upgrade it a little?” Murray asked.
Dominik skewered the Bucs’ depth at receiver and admitted it was a pre-Jason-Licht problem.
“Yeah, a very difficult spot to do because you look at this football team and say, ‘Where do you need the talent?'” Dominik said. “Because they probably had a debate within the building of [drafting] Noah Spence or [Giants wide receiver] Sterling Sheppard [in the second round], and can he be the No. 2 or No. 3 receiver next year.
“You know, everything you hear here in Tampa, Adam Humphries is a young man that’s undrafted out of Clemson that has a chance to be that No. 3 guy. But in terms of pure depth and done it, it’s not very good. And it’s a concern. It’s something that’s haunted this football team for a little bit longer than I want to admit. It’s been one of those frustrating parts where you think you’ve got it all kind of set up and then, you know, you get an injury and things fall apart quickly.”
Joe agrees with Dominik. The Bucs have poor receiver depth and it’s obvious.
Humphries is a limited talent — a truly standout No. 5 receiver, maybe a decent No. 4, but not a No. 3. And the depth concern has been a lingering issue magnified by Jackson’s age and injury history, and Mike Evans’ 2015 K-Y hands.
Dominik should know. Mike Williams had a serious hamstring injury in 2013 and never recovered before turning his focus to partying and rap music. That year, Dominik whiffed badly on wide receiver Kevin Ogletree in free agency and relied on Tiquan Underwood. Like Kenny Bell, Underwood was known best for his hair. He never played another NFL snap and now gets a CFL paycheck.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:06 am
Mark is right. WR position has zero depth. Once VJax is on the bench due to injuries, the lack of depth will be apparent and the Bucs offense will stall. Very concerned our LT can’t protect JW adequately. Two key issues the former GM accurately honed in on.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:08 am
WR depth and concerns for the health of the starters!!! Usually means you will be shuffling the deck and playing with hands you rather not be playing with!!!
The question is will a TE step to take passing pressure off the WR, How many snaps will the Bucs be in 2 TE sets???? How many screen and wheel routes to the RB’s????
Also the 2 TE sets will help DS76 with the pass rushers that he will have problems with!!! That and hopefully a jump to year 2. And lots of playaction will help with DS76 weaknesses!!!!
The Key will be not to be down 2 scores or more and put the QB in corner where every team can just Tee Off on them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 10th, 2016 at 8:18 am
If VJ retires anytime soon we could be in a position to need two. I would of at least tried to bring in Travis Benjamin or Jones from Cincy as a free agent or used the 3rd rounder we used to pick up Aguayo. I like pretty much everything this regime has done except not add to the depth at wide receiver. Hopefully this doesn’t end up biting us in the butt. Go Bucs!!!
August 10th, 2016 at 8:18 am
I think Smith will be just fine at LT. He learned alot from Mankins last year and now has a full season under his belt. I think ppl forget that he was a ROOKIE last year. Cut him sum slack. I look for him to take that next step in year 2. And keep Jameis from being blind sided wich I’d VERY important considering all we have riding on #3.
I def agree with the WR depth tho, we have sum young n Talented guys but they also lack experience and we don’t know what we’re gonna get from any of those guys beyond Humphries. Even Adam is still a bit of a question mark. We’re one injury away from last season’s debacle. Wich is not good. They failed to adress the problem and let’s pray it doesn’t come back to bite the in the @ss this year.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:29 am
Wr??? All I know is I’ve seen the Hawks win a Superbowl with Kearse and Baldwin at end. Those dudes in New England probably wouldn’t known commodities were it not for Brady and clark kent went to a Superbowl wit Ted Gin jr. and a guy name Philly Brown. I’m good with our unit. As for D. Smith I think my dude did quite well against some notable DEs lady season, will only get better and better as he matures in this league. Dom can see what’s going on in the Bay and may be feeling a little salty because he won’t be apart of it.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:31 am
Our WR depth is scary. I very much agree with Dominik, Smith is a huge question mark. He leans forward to often on the pass, seems to lack flexibility, and his footwork can use some improvement. Not saying he can’t be good, he was just to inconsistent last year, especially on the pass rush.
Giving Smith credit for not allowing sacks is taking credit away from Winston on his pocket awareness. Winston was pressured plenty from the blind side and evaded would be sackers quite effectively.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:35 am
If Mark Dominik had ever actually drafted an Offensive lineman in FIVE years as an NFL GM, – he might have some inkling of what young talent up front looks like….
August 10th, 2016 at 8:37 am
I can’t understand why some seem to feel an all pro is needed at every position in order for a team to be successful. Not true. I recall the Packers winning a Superbowl some years back with 15 players on IR. 15! Next man up homie. Do your d@$! job.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:43 am
Dpewter those DEs on opposing teams get paid handsomely to get pressure on QBs. Jameis is going to get some from to time. Don’t care how good your left tackle is bro.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:43 am
To me dominick sucked as a GM no picks panned out , well Mccoy n david erbody else was a fail…o n douggie…he wouldnt know a LT if he saw a great one on tape …his best coah was Rah Morris gave him up for
…….WE DONT SPEAK HIS NAME 😂😂😂😂
August 10th, 2016 at 8:47 am
@Nole on sat.-bucc on sun preach my brother preach
August 10th, 2016 at 8:49 am
Brady gets all the credit up there in New England but trust and believe Belichek keep a mean @$$ defense on that football field. Give me that,a decent run game and elite QB play. We’ll stay in championship games.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:52 am
Andy Dalton has had some of the best WRs for years. His @$$ yet to win a playoff game.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:52 am
Thank goodness we took asj over Jarvis laundry and allen Robinson
The dunkaners right?
August 10th, 2016 at 8:54 am
This is starting to become ABSURD!!! So people are concerned with our depth at WR. Some believe Hump is not an NFL #3. Given how well he caught the ball last year as a rookie he clearly has the hands to be a possession receiver. He’s a smart player who can find holes in defenses..and he’s even improved his quickness and cuts, he looks sharp so far.
Now we have a pre season and a season to go before we should be making any pronouncements about Hump.
As for our lack of depth at WR….DUH!!! Yeah that is where we are thinnest for sure. From our backup QB..to our OL and now DB’s we have some depth. WR..not really..at least on paper. Again VJAX could stay healthy…ME regains his hands…and ALL of our complimentary targets…Brate..ASJ…Hump…Sims play well.
Every freaking team in the NFL has a weakness and every team lacks depth at a position or two.
August 10th, 2016 at 8:54 am
Who is the number 3-5 WRs for New England??? For Seattle??? For Carolina??? Relax people, the offense is a heavy 2/3TE and 2RB system with 2 WR sets. Yes there are times it goes 3WR but the versatility of several players (C.Sims, ASJ/Vitale) give the offensive some flexibility
August 10th, 2016 at 8:56 am
We will see this year if he works out great, if he don’t move him to right tackle and draft a left tackle
August 10th, 2016 at 9:01 am
We had a much worse situation last season with the offense and set franchise records. Other than replacing t
August 10th, 2016 at 9:04 am
Joe,
your man crush on D. Smith has blinded you to some legit concerns. I firmly believe that the bucs are as high on him as you report and were thrilled with his rookie season that being said if d. Smith doesnt improve his pass protection the bucs would be fools to risk the health of the most important buccaneer of all time Jameis Winston. They wont let the franchise get killed. I like smith think he has a long career with bucs but i am not sure it’s at LT regardless of the love spewing from one buc palace.
August 10th, 2016 at 9:12 am
…replacing Mankins at LG, everything is better. Either they have more experience, are healthier, or have added more talent. The offense will get more opportunities given to them by a much improved Defense. Dominick is wrong.
August 10th, 2016 at 9:13 am
All I can I say I was much more concerned when Dom was choosing our talent than I am now. To question Donovan Smith is almost laughable. Did Dom watch any of our games last year? For a rookie the guy was awesome. Dom needs to go back to watching film and quit listening to other experts tell him what is wrong with the team he left in shambles talent wise.
August 10th, 2016 at 9:26 am
Humphries can definitely be a no3 Joe. Look at Welker..
August 10th, 2016 at 9:29 am
Man, it sure is great knowing we have the BEST non NFL GMs right here in this fanbase.
D. Smith will be just fine as he was last year as for WR I think there are at least two that will be a diamond in the rough for us and Humphries is going to succeed at his roll at #3WR.
August 10th, 2016 at 9:33 am
G-damn I’m really getting pissed at all these people talking about Vincent Jackson getting injured this year like its already happened. He is older and he was injured last year but the guy is a ridiculous athlete and said he was was feeling great coming into camp
August 10th, 2016 at 10:00 am
SOEBuc….Vjax is already hurt…
My solution, find away to trade some of our backups for oft suspended Josh Gordon.
Tome to utilize our joint practices to analyze their weaknesses.
August 10th, 2016 at 10:00 am
“So Dominik thinks Smith is a giant question mark? Joe doesn’t get it at all.” – J oe
I can see where he is concerned. Many players struggle in their second year. It’s the year they have to prove they are consistent. Smith protects Jameis’ blind side, so he is very important to Jameis’ health.
As to Humphries, I’m not too high on him, but I’m hoping he can turn into an Ike Hilliard type of player. Mr. Reliable in a pinch, and still young. That would make him the perfect #3.
On the topic of Bell, Kevin Ogletree think mentioning him in the same sentence is wronging Bell. Kenny Bell isn’t like any other player. He’s his own man. Just like every other player on the team. We like to throw out names, but in the end, it’s up to each player to make himself unique.
Kenny Bell may be a horrible WR. He may be an excellent kick returner (he was in college). He may have something click and become a #2 WR down the road, when Jackson leaves. It won’t be this year (unless there is an injury and he explodes, surprising everyone).
The point is, we don’t quite know what Kenny Bell’s ceiling is atm. We can’t assume he’ll be great, but we also can’t assume he’ll be bad.
We have to wait and see. And hope.
August 10th, 2016 at 10:02 am
SOEbuc Says
“G-damn I’m really getting pissed at all these people talking about Vincent Jackson getting injured this year like its already happened.”
It is a very likely scenario. He’s been injured every year, not just last year.
And knowing this, Licht should have brought in better depth in free agency.
August 10th, 2016 at 10:19 am
Depleted roster? Lack of talent? “Play your hand”? It’s gotta be somebody’s fault, right?! And this was pre-Lovie?! No!
I also do not understand the criticisms of LT Smith. It’s a little nit-picky IMO. As to WR depth, every team is thin at this position. If pressed, I bet there’s not a single person who can name every teams 3rd WR. So what?
VJax is aging so I’m sure there’s a contingency to replace him in the coming year.
August 10th, 2016 at 10:23 am
Yeah but we got a great kicker!!!
August 10th, 2016 at 10:32 am
@vabuc rahmorris? Good coach? Are you kidding. He was a jole. Team totally gave up on him and all the beat downs he got us. There is a reason he can’t get a good job he sux.. Hiring him and firing Heiden was the biggest mistake we’ve ever made..
August 10th, 2016 at 10:33 am
Smith did a good job and certainly didn’t look like a weakness to me, but i wouldn’t mind if the Bucs kept looking for someone good enough to make DS a right tackle
August 10th, 2016 at 10:33 am
Gruden not heden
August 10th, 2016 at 10:36 am
I really was surprised that we didn’t address WR at all this offseason. Especially how lack of depth hurt us a great deal at the end of last season.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:12 am
I have concerns with Donovan Smith myself. His strength is his strength, but outside of that his weaknesses are glaring. Stiff feet and a bad habit of leaning gets him beat inside. There’s plenty of tape on this and if he doesn’t correct it DEs will begin to just continuously set him up for the inside move. If Smith can improve his technique then there’s no doubt he has the size and strength to be dominant.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:17 am
Agree with StPete, Humphries keeps executing, what’s not to like. Go Hump, some are dissatisfied with his height, his speed and overlooking his output. I think he continues to impress and will have a crucial impact with the Bucs moving forward, even if another receiver moves ahead of him.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:21 am
The sacks number is irrelevant when you consider the offensive line gave up the 4th most QB hits in the NFL last year. Pop-Star is correct, Donovan Smith is a big question mark. I’m optimistic his play will improve but it’s still an area of concern.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:22 am
I think the biggest concerns are the defense. We haven’t had a good defense for a long a5s time. We were one of the worst in the league last year. I feel good about our improvement but how much we improve in that facet will mean way more to our W/L record than Donavin Smith or Adam Humphries not being all-pros.
I duno if you guys have studied up on other LTs that have been rookies the last 5 years but it’s extremely rare for any of them to have done great as a rookie. Most cement their positions by year 3. I expected Smith to struggle last year but he was not bad at all and a huge improvement over Collins.
For perspective he was certainly better than:
Erick Flowers (pick 9) struggled bad according to all but starting LT this year again (i.e. you gotta let LTs develop)
Andreus Peat (pick 12) moved to RG for Saints
Cedric Ogbuehi (pick 21) played in 5 games and will be RT
D.J. Humphries (pick 24) missed all 16 games. Fighting for RT spot
That was all the guys picked before Donavon Smith. An OT wasn’t selected again until Jake Fisher at pick 53. He’s a backup swing guy for them learning all 5 spots. Ty Sambrailo went to the Broncos same round and hasn’t done anything. Rob Havenstein was a solid run blocking RT for the Rams but battled injuries.
As of this moment we had the best LT production from any pick in the entire 2015 draft. It is a known fact that most LTs need a couple seasons to figure their game out. And some of you think Light sucks at drafting / that we should move Smith to Guard / that Smith sucks?
August 10th, 2016 at 11:26 am
Drafting for depth is a luxury, especially since the coffers were bare on both sides of the ball. We’ve been fortunate to draft decent starters but depth will take time to build. If we had drafted a wideout this year, everyone would be moaning about another position without depth like DE, CB, etc. Give it time, it’s not like there are many rookie WRs outside of the first 2 rounds that are that impressive in the last few drafts.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:37 am
Simms can, and has lined up at WR. Doug Martin can, and has lined up at WR on 3rd downs. Louis Murphy will be back and Russell Shepard is still on the roster.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:44 am
Shut up Dom. You’re right about WR depth, but shut up about judging a ROOKIE’S performance at LT. You and I or anyone else have no idea how this kid will pan out just by watching him play his ROOKIE season.
Smith is a question mark eh, I have LOTS of question marks across the board for this team and I can name em. Lots of if’s.
August 10th, 2016 at 11:44 am
“If we had drafted a wideout this year, everyone would be moaning about another position without depth like DE, CB, etc. ”
For sure. The only way we could have gone WR would have been taking one in round 2 where we moved up for Aguayo or taking Shepard and missinig out on what I think will be the steal of the draft in Noah Spence. But then we still have to worry about making our FGs and having bad special teams if we went WR over Aguayo. And even at that point I’m not sure which WRs were left that I’m hearing noise about now. I didn’t like any of the FA WRs for their price
August 10th, 2016 at 11:50 am
Dominik is dead on. My biggest concern for this team isn’t the secondary or the D-Line, I am terrified of the left side of our O-line in pass protection. Sweezy has never been much of a pass blocker and from what I have seen in training camp videos, Donovan Smith is still wearing his custom made, 15lb cement cleats. He is a heck of a run blocker but it’s hard to deny he was one of the worst pass blocking left tackles in the league last year.
As for WR, how could anyone trust the 4th string on his college team, still child prodigy Adam Humphries with anything but a matchup with an avg linebacker? Good thing Kenny Bell is on our team, but is he ready? We could still use some veteran help. The good thing is, I’m smitten with our first two guys. Most teams don’t have that Luxury
August 10th, 2016 at 11:57 am
You tell that clown Buc1987!!!!! It has been 3 offseason removed from the worst GM in Bucs History was running this franchise into the ground!!! It will be very telling how many pop-star guys are left when the final roster comes out!!!!! How he is even getting paid to talk football is beyond me!!! They should play yakety sax when ever that fools opens in mouth in his segments!!!!
Thanks for 5 years of misery pop-star!!!
August 10th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
I always get censored for defending Mike Evans’ hands lol….. I guess we’re not allowed to use name-brand products.
August 10th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
I have to agree though with Joe/Dom on about AH. Humpheries is more our de facto slot guy now. Hump gets the Edleman comparisons, but Edelman is far more talented (bigger, stronger, quicker) at least at this point in his career. I’d settle for Ike Hilliard comparisons with hump. Not flashy, won’t stretch the field, but lunch pail guy that can move the sticks.
Perhaps we will see Krause get a shot at slot, or even Bell in preseason. I don’t think bringing in a vet is the answer. It’s too late really, might as well give our youth an opportunity to shine, and stick to the game plan of developing core players that we have drafted/picked up young.
August 10th, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Panthers had ZERO WIDE RECEIVER DEPTH. So did Minnesota, so did green bay, patriots have zero depth year after year, so did the chiefs, so do the texans. Lets find another excuse please.
August 10th, 2016 at 1:11 pm
“but Edelman is far more talented (bigger, stronger, quicker) at least at this point in his career”
I’d say more athletic but they are pretty much exact same size. They both put up 14 reps on the bench coming into the NFL so pretty much exact same strength. Edelman had better 20 yard / 3 cone but Humps numbers in those weren’t bad.
In general agree with everyone who thinks the WR panick is over-rated. We have better weapons than all the teams in our division IMO.
I’d take ME/Vjax/Hump/Brate/ASJ over KB/Funchess/Olsen or Julio/Sanu/Tamme or Cooks/Snead/Fleener
The Seahawks did their damage last year with Doug Baldwin & Tyler Lockett (Graham was done for the year)
The Pats weapons would be a joke on a team like the Browns.
Greenbay had Cobb as their #1 and he couldn’t do it. everyone behind him was not dependable at all
Vikings? Who are their studs? Who was the Lion’s best WR after Calvin/Tate?
I get that we need to support Winston because he’s our franchise but the best teams are built from the lines out – not the other way around. And to say our WR depth is a weakness is a stretch when compared to the rest of the league. You can just go team by team and there are not many who have better depth. I’d say Arizona / Denver / San Diego come to mind as deeper teams but there aren’t many
August 10th, 2016 at 1:30 pm
LC…I agree about the lines. That’s where it all starts and I’m not really as concerned with the o-line as some of you are. I will be concerned when VJax goes down… and he will. Granted a strong o-line could mask losing Vjax for a little bit so long as you have a great QB. We don’t have a great QB…yet. We will, by mid-season, we will. We have a very good young QB right now. So I’m not concerned about the start of the season unless Vjax goes down.
Safety- biggest concern.
Cornerback – liked Grimes 3 years ago…don’t really know now.
Nickelback – Hey Jude and a rookie?
DE – Can they get any pressure on the QB with what they’ve got?
No I don’t have many question marks about the offense. I have questions about Dominik however.
August 10th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
WR in 2017.
August 10th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
I thought we should have drafted Laremy Tunsil in the 1st and a WR in the 3rd and 4th. But you all believe in Licht so much, I just let it rest.
August 10th, 2016 at 4:41 pm
Hargreaves may end up being a good player, but they needed to draft Corey Coleman in the 1st.
August 10th, 2016 at 4:42 pm
DORK!!!!!
August 10th, 2016 at 5:03 pm
LakeLand
Tunsil is a backup guard for Miami right now. You’d think he’d be competing at LT but might be good thing we passed on the weed gas mask dude
I haven’t heard much buzz of any 3rd / 4th round WRs. Seems guys that will contribute early are all top 2 round guys
August 10th, 2016 at 5:13 pm
we should of brought back mike williams for miniumum the guy can still ball..
August 10th, 2016 at 7:16 pm
I don’t think last year was a good time to address the wide receiver depth quite honestly. I think Koetter’s defense is gonna rely on alot of running, check downs to running backs, tight ends and the occasional big play from a receiver. Adam Humphries is consistent and wxactly what we need in a 3rd receiver. Winston and Humphries had quite the chemistry last year. And if you look at last year’s draft the only players that couldve possibly replaced V-Jax wouldve been maybe OSU’s Mike Thomas or LaQuon Treadwell and they were gone prior to the Aguyo pick.
August 10th, 2016 at 7:44 pm
I told everyone that even Lindy’s projected Smith as a better Guard than Tackle because his pass blocking was suspect. That hasn’t changed at all and if you think WarFLOP can teach him how you are dreaming. But the good news is that Dotson can pancake people and pass block both and has played LT before too. If Smith doesn’t improve make him a RG backup or try him at RT because the best DEs work against the LT. Cherilus is decent at RT if we need him there. Next year take a LT first round. Humphries is improved and can run back kicks so he is not slow and he is fine. I am not worried about WR because if they can’t get the job done we can still hire Roddy White who already knows our plays. Look we gained 4000 yards last year with VJAX and Murphy both hurt. Shepard is playing better, we have a surprise burner who can catch off a waiver wire, and Spencer looks good too. We’ll be fine!
August 12th, 2016 at 11:44 am
I think if you ask Connor Barwin about this, I think he’ll tell you its a non issue. D Smith laid them mitts on Barwin last night. And his technique looked good. Biggest Question mark from last night was Jameis footwork.